UK Organised Crime: Beyond the McMafia Myth

The recent BBC drama, McMafia, captivated audiences with its dazzling portrayal of global organised crime, painting a picture of high finance, exotic locales, and sophisticated criminal networks. Loosely inspired by Misha Glenny’s insightful book on the subject, the series took viewers on a compelling journey from the bustling streets of London to the sun-drenched beaches of Tel Aviv and the lavish opulence of Versailles. Its focus on intricate business and financial jargon was particularly notable, challenging the long-held public perception that organised crime is solely the domain of 'blue-collar' activities like drug importation and human trafficking. Indeed, McMafia sought to root its narrative in the white-collar crimes often associated with corporate finance, a commendable effort to broaden understanding. However, despite these innovative elements, the show largely adhered to a traditional narrative of organised crime, viewing it through the familiar lens of globalisation, technological advancements, and vast international criminal enterprises. This perspective, while entertaining, presents a partial and, frankly, rather conventional view that starkly contrasts with what research studies on organised crime in Britain reveal.

The Allure of McMafia and its Global Narrative

McMafia's undeniable appeal stemmed from its glossy, high-stakes depiction of the criminal underworld. It was glitzy, glamorous, and seductively appealing, drawing viewers into a world of powerful figures navigating complex financial dealings across continents. The constant allusions to Moscow, the US, and other international hubs underscored its global scope, aligning with contemporary discussions around interconnected economies and transnational crime. By focusing heavily on business and financial jargon, the series made a significant contribution to challenging the stereotypical portrayal of organised crime, moving beyond the familiar images of street-level dealing and into the boardrooms and financial districts where illicit wealth is often laundered and expanded. This shift was laudable, offering a fresh perspective on how modern organised crime might operate. Yet, while McMafia introduced a more sophisticated understanding of financial criminality, it simultaneously reinforced a prevalent media trend: portraying organised crime predominantly through the prism of globalisation, rapid technological shifts, and intricate international criminal networks. This, paradoxically, resulted in a picture that, despite its modern veneer, remained surprisingly traditional in its underlying assumptions about the nature of organised crime.

Unveiling the Reality of Organised Crime in Britain

Our own extensive research studies on organised crime within Britain paint a vastly different picture from the polished narratives seen in McMafia. The reality is often far less glamorous and considerably more complex, rooted not in distant, opulent settings but in the fabric of everyday British life. Conducting research with individuals involved in organised crime is, as one might expect, an inherently challenging and often precarious endeavour. The difficulty of gaining access and trust was starkly highlighted during experiences such as waiting for a 'hitman' in a seedy café in Manchester – a far cry from the luxurious meeting points depicted on screen. Academic researchers rarely get the opportunity to interview those actively involved in organised crime, and when they do, it is typically only because prison contacts have provided crucial endorsements, vouching for the researchers' trustworthiness. The insights gleaned from these direct encounters reveal a world that is a million miles away from the high-definition, stylised depictions of McMafia, even though the fundamental objective of making money often remains a common thread.

Dispelling the 'Mafia Mythology'

While McMafia rightly garnered praise from reviewers for its production quality and engaging plot, its foundational model of organised crime largely drew upon a romanticised Italian mafia archetype. This is the model made famous by iconic films such as 'The Godfather', characterised by strong family loyalty, hierarchical structures, and criminal opportunities being meticulously passed down from one generation to the next. This pervasive mafia mythology underpins the vast majority of media portrayals of organised crime, shaping public perception in profound ways. Few dramas have managed to transcend this trope with the rare quality of 'The Sopranos', which uniquely succeeded in both reinforcing this mythology while simultaneously and cleverly satirising it. In the British context, however, this traditional mafia model is remarkably rare. Organised crime here operates on a fundamentally different premise.

Instead of rigid family structures, British organised crime is far more fluid and opportunistic. It thrives on short-term opportunities that emerge rapidly, often exploited by informal groups of men who coalesce to capitalise on a specific illicit venture and then dissipate just as quickly once that opportunity has passed. This dynamic, driven by market forces and local circumstances, stands in stark contrast to the generational criminal enterprises presented in McMafia. Contemporary British organised crime, from large-scale cannabis cultivation operations to localised protection rackets, is significantly shaped by the twin forces of globalisation and deindustrialisation. These societal shifts have, perhaps surprisingly, led to an increased normalisation of certain criminal activities within specific communities. Crucially, organised crime in Britain has become increasingly 'democratised'; it is no longer the exclusive preserve of a select few professional family crime firms, such as the infamous Krays or Richardsons. Despite this broader participation, violence remains, unequivocally, the ultimate arbiter of disputes within this realm.

The Unvarnished Face of Violence

The 'hitmen' encountered in real-world British organised crime bear little resemblance to the well-built, shaved-headed, seemingly sophisticated Russian characters of McMafia, who might kill with a 'caviar knife'. The reality is far more brutal and less theatrical. These individuals are typically involved in acts of final arbitration for often humdrum business disputes, reflecting the pragmatic and often crude nature of conflict resolution in this world. Furthermore, the cost of taking a life in these circles can be shockingly low, starting from around £200, which highlights the stark difference from the high-stakes, high-cost assassinations depicted in fiction. The origins of this readiness to use violence are deeply embedded in certain societal experiences; it is often learned and honed in environments such as boxing gyms, on football terraces, within the confines of pubs and clubs, and through confrontations in school or prison. This stark reality underscores the deeply ingrained nature of violence within certain segments of British society, far removed from the polished, almost surgical violence seen on screen.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Underworld

Unlike the glamorous, pied-à-terre-dwelling, high-finance world of McMafia, organised crime in Britain is typically situated within working-class communities. The individuals involved are not the 'British godfathers' of popular imagination, but rather men engaged in a complex web of both legitimate and illegitimate businesses. They are often driven by a distinct working-class entrepreneurial zeal, possessing a keen eye for profit and an innate ability to identify and exploit opportunities. Their origins are predominantly in tough, impoverished neighbourhoods, where resourcefulness and a drive for economic betterment, however attained, are often paramount. Many of those involved are remarkably skilled at exploiting these short-term business opportunities, allowing them to largely avoid detection by the authorities, a testament to their adaptability and local knowledge.

Geographical Concentrations: A Nuanced View

Some analyses have suggested that organised criminal activity in Britain appears to be primarily concentrated in specific regions, namely London, the South East, the North West, and the West Midlands. While these areas are undoubtedly significant economic and population centres, the reality of this perceived concentration might be more nuanced. It could simply be that larger police forces, which tend to operate in these more populous regions, possess greater resources and a more sophisticated understanding of their local crime problems through the prism of organised crime. Consequently, they are more likely to identify and target criminals using this framework, which could create the appearance of a higher concentration of activity in these areas, rather than reflecting an absolute geographical dominance of organised crime.

McMafia's Portrayal vs. British Organised Crime Reality

The Market, Society, and the Unseen Truth

One crucial aspect that McMafia certainly captures accurately is the indispensable role of violence, or the coercive threat of it, in facilitating the operations of organised crime. Violence acts as a vital lubricant, ensuring compliance and enforcing agreements within a world that operates outside formal legal frameworks. The roots of this violence are often found early in life, learned and internalised in various social settings: in boxing gyms, amidst the passionate rivalries on football terraces, within the confines of pubs and clubs, and through conflicts experienced at school and in prison. These environments shape individuals who become capable of meting out the necessary force.

However, the lives of those who dispense this violence are frequently difficult and precarious. In contemporary Britain, a confluence of socioeconomic austerity, the relentless exploitation of cheap and expendable labour, and the upward flood of wealth towards an increasingly wealthy elite has rendered life more and more uncertain for many. It is this broader market dynamic that largely drives the nature and prevalence of much of this criminal activity. Indeed, this very premise formed the initial foundation for Misha Glenny's factual book, 'McMafia' – the idea that organised crime is best understood through the evolving practices of consumerism and the intricate markets of demand that underpin modern economies.

Towards the conclusion of the very first episode of the BBC drama, Juliette Rylance's character, Rebecca Harper, delivers a thought-provoking speech at the Bloom Institute. In her address, she deliberates on the profound question of 'whether ethical capitalism is possible'. Her character posits that 'the unethical pursuit of profit at the expense of other people is no longer acceptable'. However, she ultimately concludes that 'the problem does not lie with capitalism' itself, but rather with a select few 'bad capitalists' who have prioritised their 'self-interest ahead of the good of the people'.

While such a perspective might offer a comforting narrative, it arguably shields us from a more uncomfortable truth: that organised crime is significantly closer and more pervasive than many of us realise. It operates in the very backdrop of our daily lives, subtly propping up seemingly innocuous businesses. It is there, supporting the local coffee shop, the neighbourhood takeaway, or the countless other cash-generating enterprises that frequently appear and disappear on British high streets. While McMafia, to its credit, attempts to hint at this point in a limited fashion, its overwhelming glitz and glamour inevitably locate the criminal class predominantly among the wealthy elites and foreign characters. Yet, the reality is that organised crime is ever-present, practised close by, every single day, by ordinary people. We have, perhaps inadvertently, become blind to this stark reality – a reality not at all helped by the alluring and fictional sheen of the McMafia series.

Frequently Asked Questions About Organised Crime in the UK

Does McMafia accurately depict organised crime in the UK?

While McMafia is a compelling drama that introduces the concept of white-collar financial crime, it largely presents a fictionalised and highly glamorised version of organised crime, particularly in the UK context. Research indicates that real British organised crime is far less about international family dynasties and high-society glamour, and much more about opportunistic, short-term ventures by fluid groups operating within working-class communities. The show's reliance on the 'mafia mythology' of multi-generational criminal empires does not reflect the typical British reality.

What is the 'mafia mythology' and why is it misleading for the UK?

The 'mafia mythology' refers to the popular cultural depiction of organised crime, heavily influenced by Italian-American mafia narratives, which emphasises strong family loyalty, rigid hierarchical structures, and the passing down of criminal enterprises through generations. This model, while compelling for drama, is largely unrepresentative of organised crime in Britain. In the UK, criminal groups are typically more adaptable, forming for specific illicit opportunities and then dissolving, rather than maintaining long-term, family-bound structures.

How does violence function in UK organised crime compared to McMafia?

In McMafia, violence often appears highly stylised, involving professional assassins and high-stakes international plots. In reality, within British organised crime, violence is a brutal and pragmatic tool for 'final arbitration' in often mundane business disputes. The perpetrators are not always the sophisticated figures seen on screen; rather, they are individuals who have often learned violence in everyday settings like sports clubs or pubs. The cost of such violence can also be surprisingly low, reflecting a stark contrast to the dramatic portrayals.

Is organised crime in the UK only about drugs and people smuggling?

McMafia made a point of focusing on white-collar financial crimes, which is a valid and important aspect of modern organised crime. However, the reality in the UK is that organised crime encompasses a broad spectrum of activities. While it certainly includes 'blue-collar' crimes like drug importation and people smuggling (e.g., cannabis cultivation mentioned in the text), it also heavily involves financial crimes, protection rackets, and a multitude of other cash-generating businesses, often blending legitimate and illegitimate operations.

Where can I watch McMafia?

McMafia is a high-octane crime drama that originally premiered in 2018. It follows the story of Alex Godman, an investment fund manager in London, who is unwillingly drawn back into his estranged Russian crime family's world after a series of events. The series, created by director James Watkins and writer Hossein Amini, spans across various international locations including London, Mumbai, Prague, Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Paris. As a BBC production, it was initially available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Availability may vary by region and streaming service, but it can often be found on platforms that license BBC content or through digital purchase options.

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